Motor-meter.



No. 698,66l.

Patented Apr.' 29, 1902.

DUNCAN. MOTOR METER.

(Application filed Sept. 23, 1899. Renewed Nov. 15, 1901.)

4 Sheets8heet I.

(No Model.)

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. Patented Apr. 29, I902. T. DUNCAN.

MOTOR METER.

(Appliqation filed Sept. 23, 1899. Renewed Nov. 15, 1901.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

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(Application filed Sept. 23, 1899. Renewgd Nov. 15, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheots-Sheet 3.

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No. 698,66l. Patented Apr. 29, I902;

T. DUNCAN.

MOTOR METER. (Application filed Sept. 28, 1 899. Renewed Nov. 15, 1901.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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UNITED STATES "PATE T OFFICE.

THOMAS DUNCAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE SIEMENS do HALSKE ELECTRIC COMPANY OFAMERICA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MOTOR-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 698,661, dated April 29, 1902.

Application filed September 23,1899. Renewed November 15, 1901. Serial No. 82,419. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS DUNCAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Motor-Meters, (Case No. 269,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to motor-meters for measuring electricity, and particularly to direct-current commutated motor-wattmeters, though features of the invention may be embodied in meters not included in this class.

My invention has for its objects, first, so to construct and arrange the parts of the meter that it will occupy but little room; second, to make the revoluble elements of the meter very light without impairing their strength; third, to construct a meter capable of operation while being jarred, thus adapting it for use upon motor-vehicles and electric railroads, and, fourth, to provide means for preventing the retarding-magnets from being subjected to the varying influence of the series winding of the meter.

Other features of the invention will be set forth hereinafter.

I will explain my invention particularly by reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment thereof, in which t Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved meter, the casing being removed. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, parts being shown in vertical section. Fig. 3 is a side view of the meter. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the sup- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a formed coil, such as I preferably employ in the construction of the armature. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of an armature-wire support with a single formed coil Fig. '7 is a plan View of thelaminated iron core which I preferablyinclose by the armature. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively front and side views of the core shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the commutator and its brushes. Fig. 11 is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of the series-winding core.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different views.

A back plate 1, constituting a support for the meter, is provided with suitable support ing devices 2 2, by which the meter may be secured in a vertical position. The middle portion of the back plate projects forwardly to form a recess 3, in which the resistance 4, that is included in series with the armaturewinding in bridge of the working conductors, is contained. A cover 5 serves to close the recess 3. Binding-posts 6 6 are mounted upon the back plate for connection with the working conductors and serve to include the same in series with the series field-winding 7 of the meter, which produces a field proportional to the flow of current. The series winding is preferably subdivided into two coils, as shown most clearlyin Figs. 1 and 2. A magnetic core 8 is provided, upon inwardly-extending por tions of which the coils of the series winding are disposed. This core is mounted upon the back plate by means of screws 9 9, passing through the core into lugs 10 10, projecting forwardly from the back plate. The core 8 is preferably made up of thin sheets of steel, so that changes in the current passing through the series winding will immediately give rise to corresponding magnetic efiects in the core. The series winding is included in series between the motor and storage battery when the meter is carried upon automobiles and in series between the motor and trolley when the meter is carried upon electric-railway cars.

The armature, which I will fully describe later and which produces a field proportional to the voltage, is mounted upon a spindle 11, which, contrary to usual practice, has an upper jewel-bearing 12, Fig. 3, as well as the usual lower bearing 13. By the provision of the upper jewel-bearing the spindle will not be injured nor will the parts be displaced by the vertical movement of the spindle ooelectrical vehicle carrying the meter.

I be readily secured in place.

casioned, for example, by the jolting (if an provide a disk 14, preferably upon the lower end of the shaft 11, which acts as one member of the retarding device, the other member being in the form of two permanent nagnets 15 15, between whose poles the disk is placed, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. In order to prevent the series winding from having a weakening influence upon the braking-magnets 15, I inclose the magnets in a case 16, formed,preferably, of cast-iron, this protecting case or shield being interposed between the series winding and the said magnets, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. The shield is preferably formed ofabase portion 17, formed integrally with the back plate 1, and a cover 18, secured in place by means of screws; The top of the cover 18 is provided with a slot extending from the spindle to the back plate, through which the spindle passes and which is large enough to permit of lateral deflection of the spindle. By the provision of the magnetic shield for the permanent magnetsI am enabled to place series windings very close to the said magnets without danger of having the varying magnetic effects due to the said windings weakening the permanent magnets, whereby the meter may be made very compact, which is especially desirable where the meters are to be carried upon vehicles.

I will next describe the construction of the armature by reference particularly to Figs. 1, 2, l, 5, and 6. I do not form the support for the armature-wire of a solid body, as has heretofore been the practice in the construction of direct-current meters. I preferably construct the support in the form of a cylinder or cup 19, provided with a rim or flange 20 at its lower portion and a cap 21 at its top, which cap may be secured atits center to the spindle. The armature-support may be made of any suitable material, as wood, rubber, sheet-steel, or sheet German silver. I prefer wood or rubber. In order to make the armature-support extremely light, I preferably flute the cylindrical portion thereof, which imparts rigidity thereto and affords means place. The armaturewinding is preferably composed of independently-formed coils 22, which are first separately shaped in the form of circles or othersuitable shape, after which they are bent to engage the vertical recesses afiorded by the corrugated or fluted support 19, as indicated clearlyin Fig. 6, thelower part of each coil resting on the rim 20. The coils after being assembled upon the support may By constructing the armature in this way I am not only able to make it light, but I am also able to provide a simple means for retaining the armaturecoils in firm engagement with their support when the speed of the armature is suddenly changed upon a short circuit or a sudden overload, as frequently occurs in the operation of electric vehicles. By this formation of the armature I am also enabled to provide a hollow interior therein in which a core 23 of magnetic material may be snugly fitted to increase the magnetic density of the field in which the armature operates." I believe this to be new with me in the construction of direct-current meters. The core 23 is preferably constructed of thin sheet-steel, end plates 24 24: being employed, between which the core-plates are assembled, screws 25 serving to clamp the core firmly between the end plates. The core is mounted upon a shaft 26, extending forward from the back plate. There is just a running clearance between the series poles and the outer diameter of the armature and between the inner diameter of the armature and the stationary core 23 for the purpose of securing thegreatest possible density with the least expenditure of energy.

The terminals of the armature-coils are connected with the commutator 26, against which the commutator-brushes 27 rest. These commutator-brushes are preferably formed of strip metal and are spirally formed at the ends thataretobeanchored. Thebrushes'arepreferably curved each throughout a portion of its length, as indicated most clearlyin Fig. 10, whereby the said brushes are more firmly. secured in the planes in which they should lie. The brushes are connected in the ordinary manner in series with theresistance 4, and included between andalso in series with them are the coils 22 of the armature, the resistance and armature being connected in bridge between the working conductors.

The upper end of the, spindle 11 carries a pinion 28, which meshes with the countingtrain 29. In order to facilitate the removal of the rotating parts, the counting-train-29 is mounted upon an arm 30, which is removably secured to the back plate by screws. The forward end of this arm supports the counting-train before the shaft or spindle and above the commutator. In removing the armature the screw 31, Fig. 2, is loosened and the arm 30 is removed. I

Itis obvious that vchanges may readily be madein the embodiment of my invention herein shown and particularly described without departing from the spiritof the invention, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction shown; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to-secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. Inadirect-currentmotor-meter,the combination with a hollow armature having Windings, of a commutator having its segments connected with the said windings, a core of magnetic material extending within the armature, a'field-winding, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

2. In a direct-current meter, the combination with a hollow rotatable armature having IIO windings, of a commutator having its segments connected with the said windings, means for establishing and maintaining a field comprising two members, namely; a fieldwinding'and a magnetic core-for increasing the magnetic density of the field in which the armature is disposed, one of the said members being located within the interior of the armature, anda measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

3. In adirect-current meter, the combination with a hollow rotatable armature having windings, of a commutator having its segments connected with the said windings, a stationarily-mounted core of magnetic material extending within the armature, a fieldwinding, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

4. In a direct-current meter, the combination with a hollow rotatablearmatu re having windings, of a commutator having its segments connected with. the said windings, meansforestablishingandmaintainingafield comprising two members, namely; a fixed field-winding and a fixed magnetic core for increasing themagnetic density of the field inwhich the armature is included, one of the said members being located within the interior of the armature, and a measuring device armature, substantially as bination with a rotatable armature having windings andtprovided with a hollow interior, of a stationary core of magnetic material extending within the interior of the armature,-

a field-winding upon the exterior of the armature, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

6. In a direct-current motor-wattmeter, the combination with a hollow rotatable armature provided with windings adapted for inclusion across the working conductors, of a commutator therefor, brushes for engagement with the commutator, a stationary core extending within the armature, a field-winding upon the exterior of the armature adapted for inclusion in series with the workin g circuit, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described 7. In a direct-current motor-wattmeter, the combination with a hollow rotatable armature provided with windings adapted for in-- clusion across the working conductors, of a commutator therefor,brushes for engagement with the commutator, astationarycore extending within the armature, a field-winding upon the exterior of the armature adapted for ductor across the working conducto rs, o f a commutator for the armature commutatorbrushes for en gagementwith the commutator, a stationary magnetic core projecting within the interior ofithe armature, a field-winding upon the exterior of the armature adapted 7 .for inclusion in circuitwith the working conductors, a core for theseries field-winding embracing the armature, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

10. An armature, fordirect-current meters Y comprising a fluted or corrugated support,and

armature-windings maintained in positionby the corrugations in the support, substantially as described. f

l 11. An armature for direct-current meters,

comprising a corrugated cylindrical support,

and windings adapted to be maintained in place upon the said supportbythe corruga-v tions therein, substantially as described.

' 12. An armature for direct-cur rent meters 1 comprising a corrugated cylind rical support,

and windings adaptedto bemaintained'in place upon the saidsupport by the corruga-,

tions therein, the lower portion of the vcylindrical support being-provided with a rim for. supporting the-lower ends-of the armature coils, substantially as described.

13. I An armature for direct current meters,,fl

comprising a corrugated support, and arma t-ure-coils separately formed and maintained in place by the corrugationsin the said sup v port, substantially as described.-

14. An armature for direct-current meters comprising a corrugated cylindrical support and armature-coils, separatelyformed, and secured in'place by their engagementwith. the corrugations in the said support, substan= tially as described.

15. An armature for direct-current ineters,-,

comprising a corrugated cylindrical support having an outwardly-extending flange,- or rim, surrounding the same, and. armature coi1s,-

separately formed, secured. in place by their engagements with the corrugations in the support, and resting at their lower ends upon the,

said rim, substantially as described.

16. Ina direct-current wattmeter, the comi.

bination with a series field-winding, of an arthe coils of the armature,commutator-brushes for the commutator for including the armature in bridge between the mains of a working circuit, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

17. In a direct-current Wattmeter, the combination with a field-winding adapted for inclusion in series with the Working circuit, of

a rotatable armature whose coils are arranged to form a hollow cylinder disposed within the field created by the series field-winding, a

commutator for the armature, commutator-' brushes for including the armature in the bridge across the working conductors, and a measuring device operated by the armature, substantially as described.

18. As a new article of manufacture, a com- 7 mutator-brush for direct-current meters, spi- THOMAS DUNCAN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES A. BROWN, GEORGE L. CRAGG. 

